Two of the biggest sides in Europe collide on Wednesday night when Liverpool and Real Madrid meet for their fifth game each in the Champions League so far this season.

The Reds are the only side to have won every match in the newly reformatted competition, triumphing over Milan, Bologna, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen to sit at the top of the tree.

Things haven’t been so easy for Los Blancos. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have lost two of their four outings and need a win at Anfield to lift them closer to the top eight where automatic qualification for the last 16 is awarded.

Here’s everything you need to know about this latest meeting between Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

While this is undoubtedly a heavily anticipated fixture between two of Europe’s biggest teams, both clubs have a number of injury issues to contemplate.

Reds boss Arne Slot has three stars definitely sidelined with fitness problems, with Caoimhin Kelleher set to continue in goal while Alisson continues his recovery. Diogo Jota won’t be available, while Kostas Tsimikas is facing a short spell out after injuring his ankle in training.

Harvey Elliott was in the squad for the Southampton trip but didn’t feature, while Federico Chiesa has hinted he is closing in on a return to full fitness.

Trent Alexander-Arnold hasn’t played since the 2-0 win over Aston Villa earlier this month but was spotted returning to training and will at least be in the matchday squad to face the team he has been heavily linked with recently.

Liverpool predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Diaz; Nunez.

Liverpool have a few absences but Madrid have been rocked much harder by injury blows of their own.

Vinicius Junior is now expected to miss the remainder of 2024 with a hamstring problem, leaving a spot open in attack alongside Kylian Mbappe. Rodrygo is still a doubt, which means the place could be filled by the likes of Dani Ceballos, Arda Guler or Endrick.

Manager Ancelotti is particularly short on options at centre-back, with Eder Militao, David Alaba and Aurelien Tchouameni all ruled out of contention. That has seen Raul Asencio promoted to the starting XI and he’s likely to retain that spot on Wednesday.

Dani Carvajal is a long-term absentee and Lucas Vazquez’s issues meant Federico Valverde started at right-back in the 3-0 victory over Leganes. The Uruguayan may be required to fill that position again at Anfield.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Liverpool (4-3-3): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Modric, Camavinga, Bellingham; Diaz, Mbappe, Ceballos.

After their contrasting summers in the transfer window, fans might have expected Liverpool and Madrid to be in different places in the league phase table at this stage. However, the reigning champions have been hit by a multitude of injury blows, leaving them looking vulnerable against the Premier League leaders.

The Reds’ only defeat of the campaign remains their surprise home loss to Nottingham Forest and, for the first time for a while in recent memory, they head into this clash with Madrid arguably as favourites.

Vinicius’ absence is a big blow and, while that should give Mbappe more freedom to attack from whichever position he wants to, it could be a deciding factor as Liverpool aim to beat the visitors for the first time since 2009.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Real Madrid

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